* (This is NOT an official rule book. Please refer to the "Official Regulations and Playing Rules" published by Little League Baseball for rules clarifications. NCLL Local Rules can also be found on the NCLL website: www.ncllball.club in the section under (Divisions/Local Rules) For any other questions relating to rules, contact your Division Coordinator or the UIC (Pat Murphy), at 206-941-5287. If you don't agree with the UIC's answer, contact a member of the NCLL Board.
Q: Is there limit to #of batters per inning, or any other time limit imposed on offense?
A: All divisions will bat thru the entire line-up, Continuous Batting Order (CBO). We will follow all Little League rules associated with CBO. In AA and AAA, players bat only once per inning even in the final inning (Rule 5.07).
Q: Is there a run per inning rule?
A: Yes, for AA and AAA, it is 5 runs, except for the 6th (or last) inning. In the last inning there is no run limit for EITHER team, other than that imposed by the "one-time thru the batting order" rule.
Q: Is there a run differential or 10 run "Mercy rule"?
A: Yes, in all Division thru the Majors; the 10-run rule applies after 3 ½ innings (if Home Team leads by 10+), or 4 innings if Visitors lead by 10+. In Jr and Sr Divisions the rule applies after 4 ½ or 5 innings.
Clarifying the "Max Runs per inning / 10-run Rule":
Minors are adhering to LL rules with regard to a MAXIMUM 5 RUNS PER INNING.
Exception: 6th (or last inning, as designated by the Chief Umpire) if inning starts with neither team ahead by 10 runs - and allowed time for the game has not expired.
Once an inning is started, you will finish that inning, unless time has exceeded 2 hours for AA and 2 hours and 15 minutes for AAA, and if the Umpire has previously called "Last Inning". Otherwise, if after the first half of the third, fourth or fifth inning, and the visiting team is up by 6 or more runs, the Umpire will call the game. The 10-run "Mercy Rule" also applies after 3 1/2 (if Home team ahead) or 4 innings (if Visiting team ahead) by 10 runs.
Q: Can "Delayed Steals" be attempted on a return throw from the catcher to the pitcher? or ONLY when the pitcher delivers to the plate (after the ball crosses the plate)?
A: Until the pitched ball is back in the Pitcher's possession, the pitcher is on the mound (within 8' of the rubber), and the catcher is in position - the runner can initiate a steal. Once Pitcher/Catcher are in position, and Umpire resumes play (if time has been called) the ball must cross home plate before the runner can steal.
Exception: NCLL has instituted a Local Rule for the AAA Division for the sake of maintaining speed of play (and preventing the Catcher from having to walk the ball back to the Pitcher): No Delayed Steals will be allowed until the second half of the season. In AA, no delayed steals are allowed.
Q: Can a batter run to first on a dropped 3rd strike?
A: No (not in AA, or AAA).
A: Yes in Majors.
Q: Can there be an on-deck batter?
A: No player in the AA, AAA or Majors AT ANY TIME is to have a bat in their hands other than the hitter.
Q: Can the Catcher block the plate?
A: Yes, if they are in possession of the ball, otherwise No - that is Obstruction.
Q: Does the runner have to slide or avoid?
A: Yes, they cannot (for safety reasons) purposely attempt to 'take out' the Catcher in Little League. Runner must either slide/go around to avoid a collision. Discretion of the Umpire as to what constitutes an attempt to avoid. Note there is no such thing as a "must slide" rule. The player may choose to slide but is never compelled to do so to avoid a tag.
Q: Is headfirst sliding allowed?
A: No. Headfirst slide will result in the runner being out. Unless it is a slide back to a base to avoid being put out.
Q: Is there a maximum number of walks allowed per pitcher or team per game?
A.1: Per Pitcher; walks are only limited by the pitch count rules (75/85), and the Manager's patience.
A.2: Per team; only limit is the 5-run rule AA and AAA.
A.3: In AA, the local rules dictate that a coach comes in to pitch after the pitcher walks 3 batters in a row. That pitcher may return to pitch in the next inning.
Q: What is the "Infield Fly Rule", and when is it NOT enforced:
A.1: When there are fewer than 2 outs, with runners on 1st & 2nd, or 1st, 2nd and 3rd (meaning there is a force-out at 3rd situation), if the batter pops the ball up - so that in the Umpire's opinion "there is a reasonable expectation of an Infielder (meaning any baseman, Shortstop, Catcher or Pitcher) catching the ball with normal effort, then the Umpire shall call "Infield Fly, Batter is out if fair". The Batter shall be out, and runners are free to advance "at their peril". Runners must tag-up if the ball is caught. This is the ONLY situation whereby a Runner has "Safe Harbor" so long as they stay on the base (meaning if the batted ball hits them, they are NOT out).
A.2: Local Rule; The Infield Fly rule will NOT be used in AA at any time, or in AAA prior to the Jamboree.
Q: Do volunteer Umpires need to purchase their own gear?
A: Only a cup, and Umpire shoes if they choose (both highly recommended. Umpire shoes available at 3GI for $85). Each Manager will be provided with Umpire mask, chest protector, shin guards, whisk, ball/strike counter, pitch counter. All Umpires will be provided a blue Umpire shirt to keep. Recommend that they wear grey or blue slacks as well.
* Umpires committing to regularly working games throughout the season can request reimbursement from the League of up to $75 for Umpire slacks.
Q: Who is responsible for arranging for an Umpire?
A: The Home Team Manager. If an Umpire is not provided by the league (and often with Minors that is the case), then someone from the Home team must serve as Plate Umpire.
Q: If two umpires show up, is the Chief Umpire required to use the 2nd umpire in the outfield?
A: Yes, in fact it is encouraged that the Away team provide a Base Umpire to assist the scheduled Plate Umpire.
Q: Can the Umpire call strikes from behind the Pitcher (vs. behind the plate)
A: Typically the answer is "No", the Chief Umpire must call from behind the plate. If they do not have protective gear, or if there is not an Umpire available with Plate experience/desire to work the Plate, then they can choose to stand behind the Pitcher. If there are two Umpires, the second umpire should adhere to guidelines for play positioning provided in the Umpires Handbook.
Q: Who is responsible for keeping track of strike count?
A: Home Team. Usually both teams will have someone keep count, but the Umpire is to rely on the Home Team for official count. In the event of a disagreement, it is up to both teams' Managers to work it out (if they cannot, then one or both can lodge an appeal to the league after the game).
Q: Who decides if a game is called due to rain, darkness or adverse conditions?
A: ONLY the Chief Umpire - He/She OWNS the field and makes all calls regarding the game.
Q: Can we have one Umpire from each team work the game?
A: Yes.
Q: If more than 1 Umpire, what determines who makes final decision on calls that are challenged by a Manager?
A: The Home Plate Umpire is usually the Chief Umpire and has final say on ALL disputed calls. However, if a call is challenged by a Manager, it is ultimately the responsibility of whichever Umpire MADE the call to rule on the call (he/she can of course choose to confer with the other Umpires before making the final call).
Q: What is the "Golden Rule" of Baseball with respect to how Managers, Asst. Coaches, Players and Spectators interact with the Umpires?
A: Rule 9.02.a - "Any Umpire's decision which involves judgement, such as, but not limited to, whether a batted ball is fair or foul, whether a pitch is a strike or a ball, or whether a Runner is safe or out, is FINAL. No Player, Manager, Coach or Substitute shall object to any such judgment decisions. Any such objection, if voiced by any of these parties, is grounds for immediate ejection from the game.
Q: Can an Umpire (even one from the opposing team) remove a Manager (or Asst. Coach) from the field?
A: Of course, any Umpire can eject any Player, Coach or Spectator for violating the rules of the game - or behaving in a manner which the Umpire feels in their sole discretion is cause for removal. However, no Umpire will attempt to physically remove someone from the field or stands; they will simply suspend play until that Offending person has removed themselves, or is removed by the Police if they are called.
Q: What are the ramifications of a Manager or Asst Coach being ejected from a game?
A.1: Any Manager, Asst. Coach or Parent ejected from a game by an Official will be required to leave the stadium before play will resume. Any ejected player will leave the field and remain in the dugout under the supervision of their Coaches (unless the Chief Umpire subsequently ejects them from the stadium for ongoing misbehavior).
A.2: Any Manager, Asst. Coach or Player ejected from a game will automatically be suspended for the following game, regardless of when that game is played, or whether it is a Regular Season or Playoff game.
A.3: Any Manager or Asst. Coach, if ejected from a game, must appear in-person before a Tribunal consisting of the League President and Vice President, and the Umpire-in-Chief of the League. The Tribunal will address the misbehavior and by majority vote may allow that person to return to the field, but only after serving their one-game suspension. If the Tribunal does not approve their return, that person is expelled from serving as a Manager or Coach for the balance of that season.
Q: What happens if a player throws the bat after hitting?
A: Player is given one warning if they throw the bat in a manner that is not controlled, or puts any person in danger. If this occurs a second time BATTER IS REMOVED FROM THE GAME, BUT IS NOT OUT IF THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY REACHED BASE, in which case the offending Batter is removed from the game and a substitute runner, who is not in the current line-up, or if the entire line-up is batting - then the next Player in the batting order, is then put in for them.
Q: What happens if a Player bats out of their turn in the order?
A: If the opposing team notifies the Umpire of an illegal batter BEFORE the first pitch, or play is made, with the next batter at the plate, then the batter who did not hit in the proper rotation is out, the improper batter (or the next proper batter in the rotation) is now the legal batter and is put at the plate - and inherits all called balls/strikes.
If the mistake is not appealed prior to the next batter taking a pitch, or there is a play in the field, then no appeal is granted.
If the illegal batter is appealed prior to the next batter taking a first pitch - the batter who was supposed to hit in that spot is called out, any advances made due to play while the improper batter was at the plate are nullified. The next batter is that player who was normally in the next spot on the rotation, and the appealed (illegal) batter re-enters the rotation in the proper order (*this tends to happen in the Minors).
Q: What are the Pitch Count rules?
A: League Age:
- 17-18 - 105 pitches per day
- 13-16 - 95 pitches per day
- 11-12 - 85 pitches per day
- 9-10 - 75 pitches per day
- 7-8 - 50 pitches per day
Pitchers league age 16 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
- If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest and a game must be observed.
- If a player pitches 41 - 60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest and a game must be observed.
- If a player pitches 21 - 40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest must be observed.
Q: What is the Pitch/Can't Catch in same-game rule?
A: Once a Player pitches (at all) in a game, that Player will not subsequently catch in the same game.
* This rule does not apply in reverse - don't ask me to explain the logic behind that.
Q: What time limits are there in a Minors (Regular Season) game?
A: You will play 6 innings only. You must play 3 ½ or 4 innings to determine a winner. You will not START a new inning after 1 hr 50 minutes from the ACTUAL START TIME of a game.
* If there is another game scheduled on your field, you must give up the field after your allotted time (even if you started late)
* Exception: For AA and AAA, if there is not another game scheduled on the field, PRIOR to the start of the game the Managers may mutually agree to play full 6-innings, regardless of game length.
Q: Is a Runner 'out' if he/she slides head-first?
A: Sliding (or diving) head-first is allowed ONLY when a Runner if returning to the base to avoid a tag. If the Runner slides head-first in any other situation, they are 'Out'.
Q: Can Coaches or Parents 'warm up' the Pitcher while the catcher is putting on their gear?
A: No. Only Players can warm up the Pitcher. (Often, upon agreement by the Managers, the opposing Catcher will remain on the field and warm up the incoming Pitcher while his Catcher is gearing up) *This is the 'Official' rule. For AA, if Managers want to agree before the game to allow coaches to warm up... but in NO CASE shall Parents other than official Manager/coaches/Assistants, whom have registered with the league and passed background checks, be allowed on the field.
Scorekeeping and Reporting of Game Results:
** If you are the Home Team, the Manager is responsible for sending the League the score and pitch count for each Pitcher, within 24 hours of the game. **
Protesting the Outcome of a Game:
If there is a Protest of the game, a Manager must contact the League within 24 hours after the game. The League officials will vet the protest with the League officers and communicate the decision to both Managers.
There have been a few questions regarding pre-game usage of the field. To eliminate any confusion or frustration, please adhere to the following schedule, assuming there is not a game on the field beforehand:
- Game Time less 90 minutes - Batting practice, if responsible adult is available. Both teams must be allowed to take batting practice regardless of affiliation of responsible adult. Batting order determined by arrival time at field. Recommend only 10 pitches per child.
- Game Time less 45 minutes - Batting practice ends. Non infield related Warm-ups (throwing, wiffle ball, etc.) on the grass outfield.
- Game Time less 30 minutes - Visiting team infield practice.
- Game Time less 15 minutes - Home team infield practice